Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual - Chapter 60

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 60.

“We’ve just finished recovering Hong’s remains yesterday.”

Inside the conference room, the Director surveyed the section chiefs and the members of the two newly established teams as she continued speaking.

“I cannot stress this enough—never underestimate the Dokkaebi. Ru Ttang-ttang is a neat freak, so he usually just blows off heads and calls it a day, but that doesn’t mean any of you here are expendable.”
“We tend to be a collection of those who are, Director.”
“Now, Special Team Leader, hold your tongue. I’m concerned because of the budget it takes to train each of you. You brats don’t realize how much your year-end tax returns are handled by our superiors, do you?”
“We’re always grateful, Director.”

The Director let out a deep sigh as she watched her staff bow in unison.

“And here I am, trying to accomplish something great with these incompetent fools.”
“Ah, if you’re planning a coup, please give us the contract. We’ll be waiting.”
“Special Team Leader, you stay after the meeting ends, you bastard. Every time you open your mouth, it’s nothing but nonsense.”
“It’s fine, Director. I confirmed there are no listening devices before we entered.”
“Ru Ttang-ttang is watching. Show some restraint. Let’s maintain our dignity.”
“If dignity is the issue, Director, I’m afraid you’ll have a hard time with that.”

The Director turned to look at one of the section chiefs beside her.

“Can’t we just replace those guys?”
“They’re creations that Hong also helped make not long ago, so there’s nothing we can do. I’ll handle it.”
“Damn it, these bastards are making me out to be the villain.”

Since she couldn’t bear to scold Hong’s fresh-faced successors, the Director returned to the main agenda.

“The reason I’ve gathered all you busy section chiefs in one place is…”
“Because you’re bored.”
“Special Team, if you keep your mouth shut during today’s meeting, I’ll buy chicken.”
“One chicken per person?”
“Three chickens.”
“…”
“The field operatives sure do love their food.”

She tapped the specially processed document with her finger.

“You know that thing our managers have been obsessing over for the past five years?”
“Ah… are you referring to the Korean Peninsula Dokkaebi saturation phenomenon?”
“Once you read through it, you’ll see there’s a connection.”

A different manager—not the one who’d asked the question—rubbed his chin.

“If it’s enough to make even the White Raven cross the sea…?”
“The Korean Peninsula is finished, you lot.”
“Director, our people came along today as well.”
“I’m the only garbage here, you bastards.”
“Please use more refined language.”
“Yes, our lovely Resonance Bureau staff members, listen to what the Director has to say.”
“We’re listening.”
“This is genuinely dangerous.”

The Director added her words as various faces swallowed hard or wiped their expressions clean.

“In five years alone, more than five Dokkaebi have crossed the sea. That’s just the observed incidents—considering how absurdly wide the Gap is, who knows what else might be out there.”

Then Min, a manager with a sturdy build, laughed and raised his hand.

“Why don’t we just accept the cooperation request?”
“《Twist the joints.》”
“Gaaaahhhhh!!”

Min screamed as formless agony crushed his bones with vivid intensity.

“My calves—destroyed by Pilates—!!”
“Have you reflected, Min?”
“But no matter how I think about it, Korea alone simply can’t―”
“This traitor won’t learn his lesson.”
“Kyaaahhhhh￪￪￪!!”
“Where is that pterodactyl screech coming from?”

Min whimpered while rubbing his aching calves.

“Ugh, the soreness is completely gone…!!”
“Well, isn’t that a good thing?”
“But the muscle soreness the day after a workout is proof it actually happened.”
“Are you really going to complain about folk remedies in front of the Director?”
“That’s not it—if it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t feel like I actually worked out.”
“I swear, I can’t communicate with these fitness fanatics….”
“Good soreness is a reward.”
“Good grief, you’ve lost your mind.”

The Corpse Disposal Team Leader then quietly lowered his mask and spoke.

“May I speak, Director?”
“Go ahead, Team Leader.”
“Min has a point.”

He continued.

“If this concerns the ‘concentrated influx phenomenon of high-risk entities into Korea’ from five years ago, I understand the entire Resonance Bureau is currently collaborating with private enterprises to address it.”
“That’s correct.”
“I’ve also heard that the Gangwon Provincial Office managers here are working on the matter, yet they haven’t found traces of the influx Dokkaebi. If that’s the case, this isn’t a problem Korea alone can handle.”
“I haven’t overlooked that possibility myself….”

Min, who’d twisted his words, muttered “Wait, so why was I scolded?” but I ignored him. The Director, resting his chin, answered the Team Leader.

“I apologize to the mages, but most of the Gap-world population has no human rights to begin with.”
“Every time I hear that, I get cognitive dissonance.”
“I understand your feeling, Yoon. Everyone from the outside says the same thing. Anyway, most Labyrinth dwellers, no matter how much they rampage among themselves, don’t openly touch the outside world—that is, ‘people with rights.’ ”
“With respect, they do touch them.”
“They don’t do it openly, so the official statistics are essentially the same either way. Stop interrupting me. The point is, foreign powers won’t offer much help because of this.”

In the Gap-world, no real ‘law’ applies, and no matter how much gets destroyed, time restores it. The Director shrugged.

“They’ll probably try to lock it away in our Gap-world instead.”
“But I heard the British Union sent a cooperation document.”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”

You can’t rely on conscience between Gap-world agencies. They’re the type to counter ‘surely they won’t go that far?’ with ‘oh yes, we will.’ Most of them are institutions where conscience is merely a trace element.

Only large agencies in cities bother maintaining face with each other. Anything less than that, and they don’t bother hiding their dark intentions. Anyone who knows, knows.

“The Gap, by its very nature, expands the more it’s developed and cultivated. If necessary, we can even sever pathways to partition sections off. But most critically—almost everything that happens here operates in a legal gray zone.”
“Of course, those characteristics do exist across the board, but….”
“Which branch office did our Team Leader come from? Seoul? Gyeonggi Province?”
“I was called in from Gyeonggi Province.”
“This provincial office is… quite different. Even domestically, we get deprioritized as low-importance, so when it comes to international operations, you can imagine how that plays out. Do you see where I’m going with this?”
“I understand what you’re saying.”

The Team Leader nodded without pressing further. Having primarily handled cases in the capital region, I wasn’t deeply familiar with provincial operations, but I knew well enough that the Gap environment in rural areas was severely underfunded.

‘If he’s willing to spell it out like that, I can imagine how mages are treated here.’

For someone commanding multiple mage team members, it was a bitter reality.

Given the nature of their specialized work, they’d steeled themselves for gruesome deaths. But if those deaths came at the hands of fellow humans or mages… that would be a tragedy.

“….”
“I’ll get an execution order from the Director at Headquarters in Seoul, so don’t worry about that part.”
“Thank you.”

When people spoke of the Director of the Resonance Bureau, there was only one person they meant. An official document bearing his seal carried considerable weight even in the provinces. With that backing, we wouldn’t have to witness anything excessively sordid.

“So reject all cooperation requests that come in, and if they say they’re sending personnel, tell them to back off.”

Another bespectacled manager spoke up.

“Director, is there truly no way to receive some funding from overseas agencies? Their Dokkaebi are all here on our soil.”
“How many times do I have to tell you—those bastards have no conscience?”
“Irresponsible sons of bitches…!!”
“Look at those bloodshot eyes. Why is this guy so obsessed with money?”

He was a patriot, certainly, but a somewhat warped one—sometimes genuinely frightening.

“Do you think I want to go without help? Still, bear with me a bit longer, you fools. Your trustworthy Gangwon Provincial Governor is still making inquiries with the GBC. And they’re actually responding.”
“Ah, so our Director isn’t quite at that level?”
“I’ve been poking Headquarters in the ribs hard enough that my inquiry counts.”
“Is this really how I have to live my life?”
“Learn from my example.”

The Global Boundary Council.

In the Gap, the Global Boundary Council—or the Council, as it’s commonly called—is an organization that coordinates or intervenes in incidents related to spiritual energy. It’s the largest and most influential organization operating within the Gap.

They often dispatch members solo whenever official documents catch their interest.

“They have quite a few Tarot Masters over there, so we should be able to convince at least one of them.”

The Corpse Disposal Team Leader spoke again.

“If I may ask, isn’t there an Arcana member officially registered with the Korean Cultural Response Agency?”
“Has our team leader ever even seen that person’s face?”
“Ah… no, I apologize. I haven’t.”
“It’s not that I’m criticizing you—it’s actually a fair question.”

The Director smiled wistfully.

“That person is just… quite open.”
“Is that a problem?”
“They’re open to Migun too.”
“Ah… I see. I understand.”
“That’s why we’re trying to persuade them, not summon them.”

Those commonly called “Arcana members” defied conventional logic.

“I don’t know exactly what their criteria for action are, but when we first sent an official request five years ago, there was barely any response. Since then, nothing but silence—whether they lack interest or are waiting for something, who knows.”
“I didn’t realize you two knew each other so well.”
“It’s nowhere near that level of familiarity. I was just so frustrated that I went up to Seoul a few times, practically begging them to help us. Whenever our situation became dire, I’d visit and share a meal with them.”
“I see.”
“That person has refined tastes—they really love gukbap. Keep that in mind if needed.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Maybe they’re not stepping in because there hasn’t been major damage yet? They’re officially registered with us, but honestly, I can’t tell if they’re working for us or against us. What can we do about it.”

For an Arcana member, getting registered with the agency was already doing our part. In a world where even insignificant bastards commit atrocities, we should be grateful as long as they don’t openly become villains.

“Let’s just look at it positively. They’re not like The Devil—someone who’s deliberately chosen to be a villain.”

At that, one of the managers pinched the bridge of his nose in exhaustion.

“As the saying goes, words have power. Let’s refrain from speaking that name, Director. I’m terrified that the card’s owner might appear on this already chaotic Korean Peninsula. We can’t afford any more of this.”
“Would there really be two Arcana members on this tiny scrap of land? Forget it, the world is vast.”
“Though it’s surprisingly cramped, actually….”
“Anyway, it’s not like some Voldemort situation, but this Foundation allergy has really lasted a long time.”

The Director scraped her rough jaw.

“Those wretched bastards.”
“Director, I’m forfeiting my third strike and speaking anyway.”
“Oh? Didn’t you hear me say to keep your mouth shut, Special Team Leader?”
“Wasn’t it exactly five years ago that the Foundation collapsed?”
“Damn it, I really need to lock that one away.”
“Ah, wait—”
“《Twist his wrists.》”
“Gaaaaaahhhhh――!!”

As Min nodded knowingly, the Director spoke over his screams.

“Right, that could be it. The Devil, who we thought died with the Foundation, could have slipped into the Korean Peninsula and stirred up trouble, which is why high-risk entities are gathering here.”
“Then why am I being punished right now?”
“That fellow is so unpredictable and his methods are so eerie that he happened to get along well with the Dokkaebi. But that doesn’t mean anyone actually knows what he really looks like.”
“Exactly, that’s precisely what I was trying to say.”
“But that’s probably not it.”

The Director waved her hand dismissively.

“I bought some soup and heard it from the Tarot Master,”
“Why don’t we know about it?”
“You brats, I filed a report up the chain. Don’t complain that Headquarters didn’t tell you.”
“Then isn’t this classified?”
“My kids all look like they’re about to die—does classification matter?”
“It does. I’ll get a memory wipe on the way out.”
“Anyway, so what that fellow told me was—”

He shrugged.

“Nothing.”
“Nothing? What do you mean nothing?”
“The Tarot Master’s main ability—that’s it, the 『Black and White Balance』.”

Once a reference point is established, the weight of the target’s virtuous and sinful deeds is measured based on that standard and its conditions.

“There has been no meaningful change in the ‘Scale of Sin’ measured against the entire population of the Korean Peninsula.”

If that infamous The Devil had come to the Korean Peninsula, the weight of sin should have increased.

“Just to be safe, I had every country overseas measured as well, and there’s reportedly no significant change there either. The Devil is definitely dead. Unless the Tarot Master was lying.”
“Then what about the opposite?”
“I didn’t ask about that.”

The filth of this business was always the same, no matter what.

“I’ve been buying that man soup out of my own pocket to gather this information, so be grateful.”
“Does he really eat only soup for all three meals?”
“Don’t be disrespectful—he’s eaten oxtail soup, blood sausage soup, and bean sprout soup. Three different kinds, mind you.”
“At this point, I think I should get my head washed and leave. I don’t want to be at odds with the Arcana members.”
“Do as you like then, you brat. Even when we worry about you, you complain.”

The Director let out a deep sigh and scratched the back of her head vigorously.

“Anyway, regarding the cause, we’re deploying personnel in various directions, so just know that our Special Team and Corpse Disposal Team are aware. If there’s a problem, contact any of the managers—no need to go to Headquarters. I’ll try to resolve it on my end.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I’m grateful for all the hard work our managers put in. When the opportunity arises, I’ll scrape the Headquarters budget team for incentives, so let’s hold on a bit longer. They said they’d supplement new personnel in the provinces, but we’ll discuss that in the next meeting.”
“Yes, Director.”
“Thank you.”
“Also, a funeral service for Hong, who died in the line of duty, will be held this weekend. I’ll send an official notice separately, but be aware of it for now. Since his family will be attending, please take good care of them. And….”

That was when it happened.

Beep beep—

“….”
“Go ahead and take it, take it. We all have work to do.”
“Then I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”

Yoon Manager stepped to the side, listened to a brief message, and then made an announcement without even hanging up the phone.

“High-risk Labyrinth ‘Count Dracula’ has gone missing from the Homeland.”
“Yoon Manager, why do you spill such news without even catching your breath? How can you be so merciless?”
“His ‘training disciples’ maintain regular movements, but given that traces of senior disciples pursuing him have been discovered, it appears the Count is acting alone.”
“So that bloodsucker abandoned his own blood like subordinates and bolted…?”

They really were like his own blood, one of the managers thought. The conversation continued.

“I apologize in advance.”
“Damn it, wait—let me take a sedative pill first.”

The manager asked again with utmost courtesy.

“Have you taken it?”
“Yes.”
“The last trace was discovered on the Korean Peninsula.”
“The White Raven, and now the Count too?”
“You grasped it immediately.”
“Mm, yes.”
“Are you alright?”
“Wake me up in exactly three hours.”

The Director’s head snapped backward. It was a clean loss of consciousness.

“Director―!!”

The managers cried out in unison. Mountains of documents still awaited her approval.

* * *

“Does the aroma please you?”
“Yes!”
“How fortunate.”

Lee Yeon-woo retrieved a small kettle, filled it with water, and lit the flame.

“What I’m preparing now is Ottoman-style coffee.”
“Ottoman-style.”
“It may differ somewhat from the coffee modern people drink. This method requires no separate filtering process.”

I added finely ground coffee beans and simmered them slowly with water.

‘How should I best add variation to this?’

The Guest didn’t seem to particularly enjoy sweetness, yet I added a touch of sugar anyway. In that era, sugar was a luxury exclusive to the nobility, a symbol of aristocratic wealth.

I added cinnamon to it.

“Shall I add a bit of cardamom as well?”
“Yes? Yes.”
“The developer of this facility certainly has quite the diverse collection of ingredients, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes.”

A complex flavor where lemon, eucalyptus, and mint blended exquisitely. I had learned of this spice’s existence through Ho-won. As it mixed into the coffee, a pungent yet sweet aroma wafted up powerfully.

When the coffee began to boil, I reduced the heat and let the grounds settle.

“The aroma isn’t bad at all.”

I would pour only the clear portion from above into the cup without filtering.

“I’ve practiced this several times, but this is my first time serving it directly to a guest.”
“Yes.”
“I think adding some cream would be nice….”

This was far removed from the espresso I habitually consumed like a transfusion.

Sweet yet exotic spice-laden aroma. A rich, piping hot beverage that warmed the soul. I arranged biscuits and pretzels neatly beside the teacup for the Guest to enjoy between sips.

I handed the silver tray containing the preparations to the Staff Member.

“I’ll leave this to you.”
“….”

The Staff Member bowed deeply, yet behind that perfect smile, his gaze swept across my attire. As always, there wasn’t a single wrinkle in my appearance.

Coco lightly perched on my shoulder as I dismissed that scrutiny with practiced ease.

“Hello?”
“Yes, thank you for your concern.”
“Hehe.”
“Shall we go then?”
“Yes!”

It was time to have a conversation.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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